Special Education, Dispute Resolution - Program Supervisor

Washington State Health Care Authority; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington seeks to fill a permanent Special Education, Dispute Resolution - Program Supervisor. Based in Olympia, this full-time role involves managing special education complaints, conducting investigations, and preparing written decisions.

The successful candidate will provide technical assistance to districts and parents, conduct investigations, draft formal decisions, and follow up on resolutions.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting program investigations and resolving complaints.
• Knowledge of special education policy and procedures.
• Strong written communication skills to prepare decisions.

Responsibilities

• Investigate special education complaints and conduct investigations.
• Prepare written decisions and follow-up on resolution of complaints.
• Provide technical assistance to local districts and parents.
• Collaborate with OSPI teams to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

Skills

Investigative skills

Legal writing

Communication

Technical assistance

Job description

WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICE

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Special Education, Dispute Resolution - Program Supervisor

$84,673 - $99,622 annually

Closes October 16,2026

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill Special Education, Dispute Resolution Program Supervisor. This recruitment is for multiple positions. This full-time, permanent position is based in Olympia, Washington, and may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework consists of a combination of in-office and off-site workdays. During the onboarding period, employees will be required to work in person two (2) to three (3) days per week. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.

About OSPI and our initiatives

OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K-12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.

At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:

• We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
• We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
• We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.

Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.

Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.

Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child.

Equity

Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:

• Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
• Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.

Position Overview

The person in this permanent WMS position will conduct special education community complaints, including investigation, preparing written decisions, and complaint resolution follow-up. The candidate selected for this position will also:

• Provide appropriate technical assistance and information to local school districts upon request.
• Provide appropriate technical assistance and information to parents and other interested